From navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to 'grading papers in the Rose Garden,' the former first lady sheds light on her life and husband's presidency
Credit: Christian Liewig – Corbis/Getty ; Gallery Books
NEED TO KNOW
- Dr. Jill Biden is chronicling her time as First Lady of the United States in a new memoir
- View From the East Wing will trace her personal life during her husband Joe Biden’s presidency, as well as her historic choice to maintain her career alongside her political duties
- Jill’s memoir also contains her first public comments about Joe’s abrupt decision to end his 2024 reelection campaign
Dr. Jill Biden is chronicling her years in the White House in a new memoir.
The college educator and wife of former President Joe Biden has written View From the East Wing, a candid glimpse into her four years as the First Lady of the United States, Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books shared on March 11.
In the memoir, set to debut in June, Jill Biden opens up about her husband's historic presidency — including his inauguration in the wake of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jan. 6 Capitol riots — and for the first time, offers her perspective on the sudden end to his 2024 reelection bid.
"Yet all the while, she saw herself as an ordinary woman living an extraordinary life," the book's synopsis reads.
In a brief interview with The Associated Press, Biden — who also served as the second lady from 2009 to 2017 while her husband was Vice President — said the memoir serves as a "reflection of my four years as First Lady" and that writing the book felt healing.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty
“It was kind of cathartic for me to write it, and I wrote about all the, you know, sometimes painful — but other times, most of it really beautiful moments — that Joe and I shared during his presidency,” Jill Biden told AP.
During his presidency, Biden was a trailblazer herself, as she historically continued her career as a professor at a community college close by, alongside her duties as First Lady. One of the scenes from her memoir includes her "grading papers in the Rose Garden," per the synopsis.
In addition to her professional and political roles, Biden also navigated serving as a wife, mother and grandmother in a crucial moment in U.S. history, for which she had a front-row seat.
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Executive Vice President of Gallery Books Jennifer Bergstrom expressed her excitement to share the former First Lady's story.
Credit: Gallery Books
“As First Lady, Jill Biden was a tireless advocate for others, championing women’s health initiatives, military families, cancer prevention and education. And, as a community college professor, she made history as the only First Lady to hold a career outside the East Wing," Bergstrom said. "It is a great honor to publish this important account of a historical time.”
Simon & Schuster will also publish an audiobook edition of View From the East Wing, which will be read by Biden herself.
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View From the East Wing will debut June 2, 2026, wherever books are sold.
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